Future of out-of-work K9 officer up in the air

The future of an out-of-work police dog is up in the air.

Diesel, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois on Jeannette’s police force, is staying at a kennel at an estimated cost to the city of $30 per day until decisions can be made after the departmehttps://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/jeannette-footing-30-per-day-kennel-fee-for-unemployed-police-dog-diesel/nt’s police dog program was disbanded last month.

According to the Tribune Review an agreement drawn up by the city to turn Diesel’s ownership over to his handler has gone unsigned.

Sgt. James Phillips, has concerns about liability.

Phillips says it’s unclear if becoming a family pet is the right move for Diesel, a focused dog from the Netherlands who is in his prime working life and not in the same category as a family pet.

The city purchased Diesel in 2022 from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.

Diesel replaced Arees, a German shepherd, who retired that year.

It's unclear if there might be action taken by city council on Thursday.